Schoolhouse Lane, Litton Cheney, Dorset DT2 9AU
Artsreach 30th October
Tuesdays 16.45 - 17.45 Short Mat Bowls (Ron Davidson 482661)
Wednesdays: 16.45 - 17.45 Table Tennis (Ron Davidson 482661)
To confirm the above and check all other events please see calendars .
School use 09.00 - 15.30 Monday to Friday during term time.
LITTON AND THORNERS COMMUNITY HALL (LATCH)
South Facing View - Note Solar Panels
OUR VILLAGE HALL
Can I hire the smaller meeting room and not hire the hall?
Yes, the hall and stage can be hired independently or together.
What equipment does the meeting room have?
The meeting room has an independent projector and sound system. There is a portable screen which makes the room suitable
for small presentations or training.
Is there a PA and/or music system?
The hall is equipped with a comprehensive sound system which can play from CDs, MP3 players and iPODs. The sound
system is also linked to the projection system, ideal for presentations, films etc.
What facilities are there for wheelchair users?
Wheelchair access to the hall and meeting room is provided. There is also a purpose built toilet for wheelchair users.
Is there an internet connection?
A wireless network is available, free of charge, in the hall and meeting room.
I am organising a large event can you supply food?
We will be pleased to put you in touch with local caterers who we are sure will be able to meet your requirements.
What do I do if I wish to view inside the Hall?
Please call 01308 482532 to arrange a visit.
How do I check availability and charges? Click Here
The Main Hall (15m x 9.5m) is ideal for large gatherings such as weddings, parties, concerts, conferences and presentations. It
will seat up to 154 in rows for conferences, concerts, plays, films etc. or 100 seated at tables. The sprung wooden floor, with a
nonslip surface that includes under-floor heating, provides a comfortable environment. For those events which require subdued
lighting a fully controllable lighting system is installed. A Superfast Broadband service is available free of charge.
From the hall and rear patio there are panoramic views across the Bride Valley, a wonderful back drop for those cherished
photos
There is a full sound system which includes the use of a projector, computer and DVD facilities. There is also a loop system for
the hard of hearing. The stage is equipped with a full lighting set. The main hall may also be used in conjunction with the
Meeting Room and Stage (8.5m x 3.75m) which also has under-floor heating and a separate entrance suitable for wheelchair
access. The Meeting Room has a seating capacity of 30, a broadband internet connection and projection facilities. This area
can be separated from the hall by use of an acoustic screen which significantly reduces noise transference. For example a
meeting could be held here whilst a sporting activity is being played in the Main Hall. This makes the meeting room an ideal
meeting or training facility for local organisations and businesses.
The kitchen is fitted out to commercial standards for the preparation and serving of food and drinks, plus dish-washing facilities.
When hiring the hall the kitchen can be used free of charge to make hot and cold drinks, but full use of the kitchen will incur a
charge.
Outside: The Hall faces south. From the hall and patio there are panoramic views of the Bride Valley. The four sets of french
windows lead out from the main hall onto a large paved area beyond which there is an extensive area of grass. In the summer
this outside area is a fine extension of the hall and its use is included with the hire of the hall.
Parking: 25 parking spaces plus 2 disabled bays.
Licences: The Hall is licensed for music, dancing, film shows and the sale of alcohol. There is full public liability insurance.
Facilities and Services
Frequently Asked Questions
Hire Charges
Trustees and Committee Members
At the 2016 LATCH AGM it was suggested that a list of LATCH Committee/Trustees should be displayed on the village website.
In accordance with the charity's constitution, most of the places on the committee are filled by nominations from various village
organisations. Two places are up for election each year and there is room to co-opt people when thought appropriate.
LATCH is always on the look-out for volunteers willing to take on committee/trustee responsibilities, keyholding duties and just
plain helping out. If you feel you would like to be involved please contact either Ron Davidson (482661) or John Firrell (482313)
– you will be most welcome.
Current List as of May 2024:-
Ron Davidson (Chairman)
John Firrell (Hon. Secretary) – Parish Council representative.
Graeme Hickling (Hon. Treasurer)
Mike Sitch – Headmaster (Thorner's School representative).
Wendy Firrell (Booking Clerk)
Andrew King
Freddie Spicer - (St Mary’s PCC)
Peter Strange - School Governor (Thorner's School representative)
Adrian Stone
Sarah Matthews
All the above are listed as Trustees of Litton and Thorner's Community Hall and their details shown on the Charity Commission
website.
Band 1 - Private hire by residents, organisations or clubs inside the
Thorner’s School catchment area.
Weekends
Fri 16.00 – Sunday 23.00
Hourly rate
£14.00
£8.00
Hourly rate
Weekdays
£12.00
£7.00
Charges
Times
Main Hall
Meeting Room/Stage
Full Kitchen use £5 per hour to maximum of £30 per day
Hourly rate
All Times
£8.00
£4.50
Charges
Times
Main Hall
Meeting Room/Stage
Full Kitchen use £5 per hour to maximum of £30 per day
Weekend use for large events (Receptions, parties etc.)
Exclusive use of all areas from 16.00 Friday until 13.00 Sunday
Band 1: £550.00 Band 2: £650
(extra hours may be booked, depending on availability, at usual hourly rate)
For bookings and information contact Wendy Firrell Tel: 01308 482532 email: wtlitton@gmail.com
Events
An Even Warmer Welcome at LATCH!
In a bid to reduce Litton and Thorners Community Hall’s carbon footprint, we have installed a 12.74kWp roof mounted solar
array system. Our project has been part funded by Low Carbon Dorset as part of the UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund,
Litton Cheney Parish Council, Thorner’s School and The Litton Trust, this will save over 3 tonnes of CO2 each year.
VILLAGE FACILITIES
Background
Before the building of LATCH, various venues were used for village events including the School Room in the nineteenth century,
the Court House Barn in the late nineteenth century and the Sunday School from 1904.
In 1939 a public meeting was held to consider buying the Methodist Chapel for use as a Village Hall. In 1948 the Parish Council
was considering the provision of a playing field and in 1949 a public meeting agreed that the Parish Council and Village Hall
Committee should join forces to promote a joint scheme. A subcommittee was elected to select sites and make further
investigations. The Village Hall Committee (of which Colonel Wordsworth was chairman, Miss Munns treasurer and Mr Dennis
secretary) were the organisers of a fete at Court House, with the funds raised going towards a hall and playing field.
By 1998 three possible sites were being considered. One, with access to School Lane, was felt to be intrusive to local housing
and could have access problems due to the narrow lane. A site on the playing field could have been modified and made tess
intrusive, but there were many objections from villagers. The third site, opposite the White Horse Inn on land owned by Mr
Vincent was felt to be less intrusive, and the offer of this site was accepted. However, a new hall project here did not succeed.
In 2005, an opportunity arose for the Parish Council to acquire a plot of land adjacent to the school.
This would provide a site for a village hall and a facility for the school in which to hold assemblies, P.E. facilities and other
activities previously limited by available space. New government legislation also required the provision of hot meals for children.
Planning permission was granted, and a board of Trustees set up in 2006 responsible for designing, funding, construction and
management of a community hall that would be named Litton and Thorner's Community Hall (LATCH).
A combination of village fund-raising, successful grant applications and the help of the Salisbury Diocese and the Department of
Education, meant that sufficient funds became available for work to start in 2008. Local builder, C. G. Fry & Son, constructed the
hall and it finally opened in May 2009. An annexe was added in 2014 to provide additional storage.
Who does it belong to? It is not the school hall, nor the village hall - it is the community hall – jointly funded by the local
community and Department of Education via the Diocese through Thomer's School.
The hall is managed by a committee comprised of representatives from the community:- Litton Cheney Parish Council, St
Mary's Parochial Church Council, Thomer's Headteacher, Thomer's Governors, Litton Cheney Social Committee, Thorner's
School Association, Local Youth Organisations plus up to four people elected at the AGM or seconded for a particular purpose.
Thomer's has use of the hall during school hours (Monday to Friday). Outside these times it is hired out for many local
community activities and events as well as parties and wedding receptions.
Running costs of the hall are shared between the hall and the school.
General Maintenance of the building and grounds is mostly carried out by volunteer residents from the village.
A display of the wonderful village textile and a brief history of the creation of LATCH can be found In the corridor of the hall.
There can be few halls that look out over such beauty as can be found in the Bride Valley.
Remember, this Is our community hall. We need more volunteers to help run the hall. Are you these people? Find out more by
calling Ron Davidson on 482661 or John Firrell on 482313.
Band 2 - Private hire by residents, organisations or clubs outside the
Thorner’s School catchment area.
